Are you looking to revamp your home’s look and feel? If that’s a yes, don’t forget to consider the fascia boards along your roof. These tiny roofline trims can do wonders for a house. In this blog, we will dive into the world of fascia boards and explain why you need fascia boards on your home, and which options are available for you to choose from.
At OConnor Contracting, we’ve been helping homeowners learn more about their home improvement options. We understand that as a homeowner you want to be proud of your decisions, and since there are endless modifications you can make to your home, you must learn how certain parts, like fascia boards, function and benefit your home.
What Is Roof Fascia Board?
Most homes have pitched roofs in the United States, and every pitched roof has fascia boards or panels. They cover the location where the roof meets the outer walls of your home. It is a horizontal board that runs along the roof’s lower edge, covering the entire roofline. Fascia boards are clearly visible from the ground and can be customized to your preference. The panels are available in various materials, including wood, aluminum, copper, and vinyl, and most homeowners get their boards painted to match the color of their house.
Whether you’re a homeowner, exterior designer, or realtor, you need to understand the importance of a well-maintained fascia board. Repairing and replacing fascia boards in a timely manner is vital to ensure the longevity and functionality of your home’s structure and charm.
Function & Importance Of Fascia Boards
Roof fascia boards serve as a support structure for the rain gutters and help to protect the rafters, siding, and foundation of your home from water infiltration and pests. In addition to the practical functions, the panels also play a key role in keeping the exterior looking new and stunning.
Here is a more detailed explanation of their benefits:
Protect The Roof Structure
Fascia boards cover the ends of the roof rafters and provide a protective barrier against water, snow, and ice. Without fascia boards, the roof structure is vulnerable and water can easily reach exposed wood, causing all sorts of trouble like mold, rot, algae, and pest infestation. These are complicated issues that can, later on, cause problems with the walls and foundation, which will cost you more in repairs!
Enhance The Curb Appeal
Fascia board trims are an important element of a home’s exterior appearance. Well-maintained fascia boards look clean, painted, and finished. This enhances the curb appeal of a home and increases its resale value. It also helps your neighbors and visitors notice how you take pride in the little details.
Provide Support For Rain Gutters
Fascia panels offer a base where rain gutters can easily be installed. They also support the weight of the channels when they collect rainwater and direct it away from your home. Without strong fascia boards, the gutters may sag, causing water to spill all around the house. If this occurs, you will see water puddles on the porch and the lawn area around it. Ponded water is not good for the plants and your landscape design, and it can even leak into your basement.
Help Prevent Pests From Entering The Home
Roofs are often compromised by insects, rats, squirrels, bees, and birds. They can enter the home through holes or gaps in the small parts of the roof, such as exposed rafters and a sagging roofline. Properly sealed and maintained fascia boards can help prevent pests from making a home in your roof or attic.
Save Energy & Add Comfort
When fascia covers the roofline completely, there’s no way for the elements to get inside your home through the roof or attic. This makes it easy for the healing and cooling units to maintain the desired temperature and humidity levels inside the house. Fascia boards allow them to do their work while consuming less energy and time, which means you are going to save hundreds on energy bills over the years.
Make sure you choose the right type of fascia board for your home. Consult a reliable local roofing contractor for the best options.
Here are some common types of fascia board materials found across the country.
Types Of Fascia Board
You have lots of options when it comes to fascia board materials, including wood, plastic, metal, and more. You must make a choice based on your local weather conditions and aesthetic preferences. Let’s take a look at some popular fascia materials suitable for every location.
Wooden Boards
A cedarwood fascia board is a popular choice for its natural appearance and versatility. Wooden panels can be prone to rot and weathering over time, so they are mostly infused or coated with chemicals that resist rot and algae. However, wood can still be damaged if not cared for properly. For this reason, many homeowners who live in rainy parts of the country have now shifted to PVC or metal panels.
Metal Panels
Aluminum is the most common metal that’s used to make fascia boards. It is an excellent option for homes in coastal regions as aluminum does not corrode in saline conditions. Steel and copper are also good choices for homes in rainy and snowy areas. Steel can be coated with other metals for a layer of waterproofing, and copper is a metal that looks luxurious and can stay strong and beautiful for a lifetime!
Vinyl Fascia Board
Vinyl is short for a tough plastic compound called PVC (polyvinyl chloride). PVC fascia boards are a popular choice for their low maintenance and durability. Vinyl is resistant to rot and weathering and does not require frequent painting and cleaning. However, if you live in a snowy, hail-prone, and storm-prone area, having composite boards is a better choice.
Use Composite Fascia Boards For Maximum Benefits
Composite materials, like fiber cement boards, are incredibly sturdy and can last for decades! Hardie board fascias are currently the most advanced development in the roofing industry. Fiber cement is a product of James Hardie, a leading manufacturer of house construction materials.
While the original product is patented, there are many other companies that offer different types of fiber cement boards. Fiber cement is composed of a mixture of cement, sand, stone, water, and cellulose fibers. Like metals, it is durable and resistant to rot, impact, and extreme temperatures. Plus, you can get in it any color you like, and it’s easy to give them the desired shape you want!
Most fascia boards are plain and fully closed, leaving no space for air or moisture to seep inside. But some parts of the house also need proper airflow to remain cool and dry, especially in the summertime. For those areas, it can be a good decision to use vented fascia panels.
Where Should You Use Vented Fascia Boards?
Vented fascia boards differ from traditional, closed ones. Most homes use a vented gable for this purpose, but it’s only efficient for attics. If your home doesn’t have soffit vents, it can be beneficial to have vented fascia boards around the house.
Ventilate The Closed Spaces
Vented fascia panels have small holes or vents along their length to allow air circulation. You can use them outside the attic, staircase, or hallway roofline. If you have a three-story home, vented fascia boards can be highly beneficial for rooms on the second floor, especially during the summer.
Prevent Ice Dams On The Roofline
Ice dams occur when snow on the roof melts, and the water runs down to the eaves, where it refreezes. This can damage the roof, gutters, and fascia panels. Vented fascia boards allow for airflow, which helps to create a consistent temperature across your roof and decreases the chance of ice dams. These boards are built in a way that snow and ice don’t melt around, or get inside, the vents. You can also attach heat cables to them to help melt the maximum amount of ice.
If you are looking for services like fascia board replacement or repair, or need a little help choosing the right type of board, we are here to solve all your doubts and offer the best roofing services.
Do You Need Fascia Board Repair Or Installation Services In Buffalo, NY?
At OConnor Contracting, we have been improving homes in the Western New York area for years. Our roofing company is based in Buffalo, New York, and our dedicated team is a part of the community that works hard to help homeowners around town. We suggest using metal or composite fascia boards for your Buffalo home, as they can tolerate freezing temperatures and water much better than any other material. The best-quality vinyl boards are also an option for snowy areas like ours.
If you need soffit or fascia board installation services, or just want to fix your old ones, call us at, (716) 600-7663. We will be happy to offer you a free consultation and estimate.
